Long Ball Along with Poor Pitching

Starting the season out right now the Seattle Mariners are at 3-4 going into the second game in Los Angles against the Dodgers. I have seen through social media how much people are complaining how bad the Mariners have started out. It is early in the season so we still have to see what happens. The Mariners seem to start out of the gate slow each season. So I do not really want to complain either but we do see some areas that the Mariners do need to improve on though it is still very early.

On the positive side the home runs are coming early especially with Nelson Cruz. Also, Dustin Ackley is starting out good as well with three homes runs. He is one of the few that are batting good as well. His batting average is over .300. Nelson Cruz batting average is starting to climb as well. We still have to see the other batters averages to climb as well. Robinson Cano has a low average; however, he is hitting the ball hard. As long the Mariners keep scoring runs the team should get over the .500 mark. In fact if they end April around .500 it will be a good sign for the team.

The starting pitching has started off slow to some degree. Felix has started off well though he gave up three runs in his second start. I am not too concerned with him. James Paxton has had one good game and a bad one though the second game started good for the first few innings. Hopefully, Iwakuma and Walker can bounce back from their first outings. Happ had a very good first outing so we hope that he can continue. The bullpen has had some good outings and some not so well. The bullpen I am not so concerned with either as long the starters can go some longer innings. They need to since the Mariners have seven pitchers in the bullpen instead of eight like last season. It is important not over use the bullpen.

I wonder if the Mariners will stay with a seven man bullpen or increase to eight when Wihelmsen gets off the disable list. Right now the Mariners have Willie Bloomquist to back up at shortstop along with the other infield positions. I guess we will have to see if the Mariners will stay with six outfielders. Nelson Cruz is playing some in right field besides being the main designated hitter.  I would stay it depends how the other outfielders besides Cruz before over the next few weeks, a month or so perform. It seems right now that Ackley looks good playing mostly against right handed pitchers, and given time off against lefties. This might work out the best for him.

Hopefully we will get more answers in the weeks ahead and not more questions. I know that I haven’t given up on them as of yet. They are scoring enough runs in most of the games. The history of the Mariners always seems that when they are pitching well the hitting is not and vice versa as well. This season I think over the long run they will have both. We will see so Go Mariners!